I write for an outlet with decent traffic (1 million visitors per month), and though I can usually snag review codes for indie/VR games and the occasional AAA release, it's really tough to get major publishers to consistently play ball and get us codes ahead of release. We often either get ignored completely or given the "we're not giving codes at the moment" excuse (even though friends at smaller outlets already have copies).
I use gamespress.com to contact publishers/PR departments which has mixed results. I'm registered at Sony's press website but they just don't reply to my requests for code/to be added to their mailout, and though Nintendo almost always replies to my requests, it's always been "we have no code for you", and they've never once given me an actual code either before or on release.
Is it worth just relentlessly hassling them? I don't want to be annoying but it can be frustrating being passed over or straight-up ghosted. Should I try a harder sell by providing metrics and offering to post some news ahead of release?
Ideally I'd like to be on mailout lists for all major publishers and PR firms so we can be on the ball with all major releases, but codes have been sparse over the last few months in particular and it's really demoralising, especially when you have an audience that will read the content.
Sorry if this sounds like a whine, but I'm keen to hit it aggressively and I figured this was a good place to ask advice as many journos are registered here. Thanks :)
I use gamespress.com to contact publishers/PR departments which has mixed results. I'm registered at Sony's press website but they just don't reply to my requests for code/to be added to their mailout, and though Nintendo almost always replies to my requests, it's always been "we have no code for you", and they've never once given me an actual code either before or on release.
Is it worth just relentlessly hassling them? I don't want to be annoying but it can be frustrating being passed over or straight-up ghosted. Should I try a harder sell by providing metrics and offering to post some news ahead of release?
Ideally I'd like to be on mailout lists for all major publishers and PR firms so we can be on the ball with all major releases, but codes have been sparse over the last few months in particular and it's really demoralising, especially when you have an audience that will read the content.
Sorry if this sounds like a whine, but I'm keen to hit it aggressively and I figured this was a good place to ask advice as many journos are registered here. Thanks :)